Workers accused of theft or damage could soon find themselves blacklisted on a register

[TriWooOx]

Workers accused of theft or damage could soon find themselves blacklisted on a register to be shared among employers. It will be good for profits but campaigners say innocent people could find it impossible to get another job.

To critics it sounds like a scenario from some Orwellian nightmare.

An online database of workers accused of theft and dishonesty, regardless of whether they have been convicted of any crime, which bosses can access when vetting potential employees.

But this is no dystopian fantasy. Later this month, the National Staff Dismissal Register (NSDR) is expected to go live.

Organisers say that major companies including Harrods, Selfridges and Reed Managed Services have already signed up to the scheme. By the end of May they will be able to check whether candidates for jobs have faced allegations of stealing, forgery, fraud, damaging company property or causing a loss to their employers and suppliers.

Workers sacked for these offences will be included on the register, regardless of whether police had enough evidence to convict them. Also on the list will be employees who resigned before they could face disciplinary proceedings at work.

The project has attracted little publicity. But the BBC News website can reveal that trade unions and civil liberties campaigners are warning that it leaves workers vulnerable to the threat of false accusations.

TUC policy officer Hannah Reed says that while criminal activity in the workplace can never be condoned, she fears such a system is open to abuse.

"The TUC is seriously concerned that this register can only lead to people being shut out from the job market by an employer who falsely accuses them of misconduct or sacks them because they bear them a grudge. Individuals would be treated as criminals, even though the police have never been contacted.

"The Criminal Records Bureau was set up to assist employers to make safe appointments when recruiting staff to work with vulnerable groups. The CRB already provides appropriate and properly regulated protection for employers. Under the new register, an employee may not be aware they have been blacklisted or have any right to appeal."

James Welch, the legal director of human rights group Liberty, also says that he is concerned that the register does not offer sufficient redress to the falsely accused.

"This scheme appears to bypass existing laws which protect employees by limiting the circumstances when information about possible criminal activity can be shared with potential employers."

Data protection

The register is an initiative of Action Against Business Crime (AABC), which was established as a joint venture between the Home Office and the British Retail Consortium "to set up and maintain business crime reduction partnerships". The Home Office says it stopped funding the scheme last year, having granted it almost

[hireality]

oops...sorry TriWooOx
I didnt see your post before mine on this subject.
How do I delete mine ?

[joeblow]

O shit! They have the same thing here in Sweden, it's unofficial. My uncle tried to organize the workers at Volvo and later couldn't a job anywhere.

[Ognir]

Maybe this is where I'll differ with some of you, one of my ex-employees stole my computer system (billing, stock, contacts) and I'd love to put this cock sucker, English guy called Nic on a fuckin list,  better yet against a wall ......

However,  I've had to take legal action that only the lawyers will make any money.

[Maragenie]

Are they going to back date this register do you think?

I posted this article on another forum I visit and a member sent me a pm worried about something he did in an older job, not too sure I told him I'd ask you lads about it.

[TriWooOx]

Are they going to back date this register do you think?

I posted this article on another forum I visit and a member sent me a pm worried about something he did in an older job, not too sure I told him I'd ask you lads about it.

I'm not sure maragenie, I will try and find out more infomation for you.

Ognir, I have to agree with you but when they say Workers accused of theft or damage it's worrying.

[Maragenie]

Cheers fella.